Car models

With the multitude of chassis versions and car segments, car models come in handy to cover each one of them and its particular needs. Most large automakers design and maintain at least one car model for each market segment.

Generally, car models are built to cover small and compact car segments, mid-sized, large, luxury, crossovers and SUVs.

Car models from a single automaker have a number or a certain name combination that allows them to be classified according to their segment. In other cases, particularly with US-based automakers, car model names are attributed on a different criterion and not with regard to their class.

Most car models come to the market with various trims. Trims rise in quality along with the price tag. Generally, what’s referred to as the base price represents the amount of money that a buyer will spend on the lowest trim of a particular car model. As trims go up, new infotainment technologies are made available, better security features such as more airbags or collision detection systems are included. Also, new interior elements such as leather instead of cloth and wood/carbon fiber inserts may become available on higher trims for car models.

Car trims come with their own names. Some automakers use precious metals as to indicate the classification of trims, while others have found different approaches to differentiate between the packages offered. Trims do not only vary in terms of infotainment and comfort features, but may also provide slight body modifications as well as increased power output. Some car models only provide automatic gearboxes in their higher trims.

With this in mind, a good car advice is to select a new car in the following order: identifying the brand and model one wish to purchase, then compare trim levels to find the best fit for his or her needs.